Schaub’s December isn’t one to remember

INDIANAPOLIS — Matt Schaub’s voice was the same, and his personality was unchanged.

Schaub is rarely fiery in public and not prone to grand statements. So after a struggling Texans team fell 28-16 to the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, dropping its third contest in four attempts and failing to secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, the veteran quarterback was mostly his normal game-day self.

Schaub’s voice was subdued, he spoke of personal frustration and team failure, and he challenged himself to play better in the postseason. But Schaub wasn’t going to overact or overanalyze. Two weeks ago, the Texans were 12-2 and on top of the AFC. Schaub believes the Texans are closer to their former selves than the backsliding club that’s inching toward the playoffs lacking momentum and fire. And he knows nothing erases concern quicker than excellence in January.

Painful picks
“This game, it’s always the difference of a couple of plays for whether you win or lose. We just didn’t find a way to make those plays (Sunday),” said Schaub, who completed 24 of 36 passes for 275 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. “Down in the red zone, we settled for (field goals) a couple of times. We want to be able to get (touchdowns) there. … We need to find a way to play consistently for more quarters.”

Schaub’s interceptions were game-changers. The first occurred late during the second quarter, with Indianapolis leading 7-6. Schaub attempted to connect with James Casey on a middle-of-the field deep route but underthrew him. Colts cornerback Vontae Davis cut between Casey and the ball, picking off the pass and setting up an eventual Vick Ballard rushing touchdown that gave Indianapolis a 14-6 halftime lead.

Davis strikes again
Schaub’s second interception was even more painful. The Texans trailed 28-16 but still had more than 11 minutes to work with during the fourth quarter. After developing a strong connection with Andre Johnson through the first three periods, Schaub tried to hit the Texans receiver on a deep throw toward the front corner of the end zone. But Davis snuck in again, collecting Schaub’s poorly thrown pass and putting the Texans away for good.

“The first one … I just underthrew it a little bit,” Schaub said. “The second one, I tried to give Andre a chance. We had man-to-man coverage, and I was trying to give him a chance in the end zone.”

The Texans’ final four regular-season contests were cruel for the ninth-year quarterback. Schaub threw only one touchdown pass and was intercepted three times.

In turn, the Texans failed to score more than 16 points during three games, and the offense was often Schaub-to-Johnson or nothing.

“All 11 of us have to click as a whole. It can’t just be one or two guys,” Johnson said. “If we don’t click together, then we’re not going to win. We’ve got to find a way to get it done.”

Texans coach Gary Kubiak backed Schaub, saying he made numerous positive plays on Sunday and gave the Texans multiple opportunities. Kubiak acknowledged, however, that the Texans’ offensive leader must step up his performance with single-elimination football about to begin.

“We’re all in this together, and he’s got his part of the equation to uphold,” Kubiak said.

Texans running back Arian Foster was less committal. Foster answered seven postgame media questions Sunday, saying the “most talented team” he’s ever been on is entering a high-stakes new season that instantly erases statistics and victories accumulated during 2012. But the star running back — who can be hot and cold with the media — offered only four words when asked about Schaub’s recent performance and rhythm compared to his production from a month ago.